The Valley City Hi-Liner softball team finishes the season with a 2-1 loss to the Western Dakota Conference Champion Bismarck Century Patriots.

Offense came at a premium in the game for both teams. For the Patriots, one player had 100% of the team’s offense. Senior center-fielder Lexi Duchsherer hit a solo shot in the fourth inning and an RBI-double for the team’s only hits.

For Valley City, they were able to get five hits including a first-inning RBI-double from junior first-baseman Dylann Diegel to give them a 1-0 lead. But that would be the only run they would get in the game. Diegel finished the game 2-3 with another single in the sixth inning and would be the only Hi-Liner to have a multi-hit day. Senior shortstop Erika Anderson scored the team’s run as she went 1-3. Senior left-fielder Emma Mielke went 1-3 with a single in the fourth and sophomore center-fielder went 1-3 with a single in the second inning.

On the rubber, senior pitcher Hailey Schaefer went six innings and allowed two runs with only one being earned and two hits, walking four and striking out four. Schaefer after the game was awarded the prestigious honor of Senior Athlete of the Year as determined by the NDHSAA coach’s association.

Valley City finishes its season with a final record of 17-10.